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Written by: A. Smith
Published September 15, 2025 @ 9:12 AM ET
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – A Gwinnett County woman accused of trafficking one of the largest fentanyl seizures in Georgia history will remain behind bars after her attorney withdrew a request for bond Friday.
Celia Lara-Rios, 34, was arrested in July after Auburn police said they found nearly 25 kilograms — about 55 pounds — of fentanyl in her possession. Investigators estimate the quantity seized, weighing 24,958 grams, could potentially kill more than 12 million people. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, according to health officials.
Prosecutors allege Lara-Rios has ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations.
When officers arrested Lara-Rios, prosecutors said a child was inside her vehicle. She was charged with two felonies: trafficking in morphine, opium, or heroin in excess of 28 grams, and using a communication facility in the commission of a felony involving controlled substances.
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office lists Lara-Rios as being held without bond under an ICE detainer, meaning federal immigration authorities have placed a hold on her release.
Authorities have described the case as one of Georgia’s largest fentanyl busts, underscoring the scale of trafficking activity tied to the deadly opioid in the state.
It remains unclear whether the fentanyl seized was pure or mixed with other substances. Lara-Rios had been scheduled for a bond hearing Tuesday, but the motion was waived. A future court date has not yet been set.